School board responds to DJJ takeover proposal
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The board of a residential public school for troubled teens opposes legislators’ move to put the Department of Juvenile Justice temporarily in charge.
In a statement issued Thursday, the chairwoman of John de la Howe School in McCormick said the proposal sends the wrong message to students and families. Barbara Devinney pointed to a section in state law saying a nine-member board must be in control.
A spokesman says the board’s existing five members approved the statement, three by phone.
It came two days after the House approved a one-year takeover as part of its budget plan.
Last month, the school’s principal, president, chairwoman and vice-chairwoman resigned.
Their departure followed an inspector general’s report that found the school spends excessively but doesn’t assess whether it’s successfully turning students’ lives around.
